Press Release, Superintendent Thomas Scarice

Good afternoon,

As we prepare for the final six weeks of the school year, we remain on track to have a very positive end to a most challenging year.  The weather is beginning to warm, and infection rates continue to drop while vaccinations continue to rise.  The goal all year has been to keep a steady course as we incrementally open our schools to increased in-person instruction.  We avoided major changes in schooling models and were able to maintain our course following major transitions at the K-8 level in late January, and at the high school in March.  The goal for the remainder of the year is to establish as much "normalcy" to our routines and practices as possible so that we can begin our next school year as we would in any ordinary year.  With that, I would like to provide some updates to the school community.

Recognitions
In the past week or so we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week, National School Principals Day, and National Nurses Day.  Our PTAs, parents and community members have gone to great lengths to share their appreciation for our teachers, administrators and nurses for their spectacular efforts this year.  Please join me in recognizing and honoring the professionalism and commitment of those who serve our children, along with the countless support staff in our classrooms and offices that made this year such a success.  We witnessed the reinvention of a profession for the sole purposes of serving children during a generational pandemic.  Although we will welcome the move back into more familiar patterns next year, the work of our team this year will not be forgotten and I, for one, will be forever appreciative of their commitment to the students of Westport.   

Revisiting Mitigating Measures
This week marks the first week since early in the school year that we did not experience a positive COVID case among our school community.  As community transmission rates continue to decrease and vaccination rates increase, we are optimistic that we will continue to see a decreased number of cases within our schools.  We continue to utilize mitigating measures through the end of the school year, but following consultation with our public health supports, we are confident that we can loosen some of the restrictions we have had in place since the beginning of the year.  We will continue to monitor all metrics daily and will be ready to adjust as needed.
 

Recess
Ordinarily, students have played with students in other classrooms within their grade level at recess time.  This allows students to develop new friendships and promote additional play opportunities. Students were kept within their classroom cohort to start the school year.  However, given the positive direction with infection rates, we will now be allowing cohorts to mix within grade levels.  As the risk of transmission outside with masks is low and most students will be in active play, we do not anticipate any additional challenges in loosening this restriction.  

Classroom seating
In order to promote collaboration, cooperation and social emotional well being we will begin to allow for seating configurations that include other groupings than students facing forward in rows. This is a move away from the "pandemic classroom" setting.  Groupings where students are face to face will still allow for social distancing.  Plexiglass and masks will be continued to be used consistently.

Field Day
We are planning for field day at the elementary level to take place as traditionally has happened.   Students will be kept in grade levels as they rotate through stations. Any food served during field day will be done when students are sitting and socially spaced.  Scheduled parent volunteers, under the direction of the building principal, will be welcomed to assist with the day's events in coordination with each school's needs. Masks will continue to be worn.

Visitors
Visitors to our school buildings have been restricted all year.  We have recently begun to allow invited visitors inside our buildings for business or education related matters.  Each building principal will exercise their judgment, in consultation with our Director of Health Services, Sue Levasseur, in determining the level of access for a visitor.  

End of Year Ceremonies:  Grade 5, Grade 8, High School Graduation
Each level has been working collaboratively to plan ceremonies for grades 5 and 8, and graduation.  All ceremonies will take place outside.  Coordination of these events is currently in motion as the building principals collaboratively work to schedule their grade 5 and 8 ceremonies, along with graduation, to avoid conflicts.  Elementary schools are working with parent representatives and their faculty to develop ceremonies for their schools.  Although they may look a bit differently from each other, all events will be outside and collaboratively planned with grade 5 parents and faculty.  There will be no receptions held on campus following these events, but there will be opportunities for "photo ops" provided.  Detailed information will be provided by building principals about these events, and high school graduation.

House Bill 2423, An Act Concerning Immunizations
This Bill became effective on April 28, 2021 and eradicates the religious exemption for immunizations for students in K-12 who did not have a religious exemption on file before April 28th, 2021. This bill has caused many concerns and questions.  After further inquiry with the State Department of Education, I am confident that we expect further guidance regarding many of the provisions of the Law and will continue to share this information when received.  I suspect that additional information, and possibly some modification may be forthcoming.

June 21 - Last Day of School Half Day
Our final day of the 2020-2021 school year will be June 21 and it will be a half day.  

Note of Appreciation
I would like to offer one final note of recognition and appreciation.  This year has been a challenge to us all.  As we take a moment to honor the members of our team that have stepped up for our kids, I would like to send a note of appreciation to all parents for your advocacy and patience.  Countless parents have reached out to my office, to their child's teacher, to their school principal, etc., advocating on behalf of their child. These acts have made all of us better.  Yet, there has been an understanding and level of patience conveyed that is most appreciated given our circumstances.  I truly believe that our school district is poised for incredible growth as we emerge from the pandemic.  Signs are everywhere.  It is energizing and hopeful.  I am honored to help lead this work for our schools.

Sincerely,
Tom Scarice